Elisa May is making a name for herself with her latest release, “Black Lines”. Based in Prague, she’s known for turning personal pain into powerful music. “Black Lines,” written when she was just 16, tells the story of feeling trapped in a toxic relationship. Now, years later, the song has become an anthem of healing and freedom.

I caught up with Elisa to discuss the evolution of “Black Lines,” how she channels her emotions into her music and how her blend of jazz, pop and soul creates a unique sound that connects with listeners on a deep level. In this conversation, she shares how her music gives a voice to those struggling with their own stories, offering both relatability and strength.

Ron Rocky: “Black Lines” was originally written when you were 16. Can you share what inspired the song at that time and how your perspective on it has evolved?

Elisa May: When I wrote “Black Lines” at 16, it came from a place of feeling trapped in a difficult relationship and emotional instability. At the time, I was trying to process a lot of conflicting emotions—love, frustration and a sense of betrayal. The song reflects that internal struggle, capturing the confusion and pain of dealing with someone close to you who doesn’t always have your best interests at heart. When I wrote the first version of the song, I don’t think I fully escaped the feeling I was stuck with. I was writing about something I was hoping would happen, while still being stuck in it. The time spent between the first version and the final version gave me distance from not only the feeling but the person too. The lines “well I don’t care, I’m finally free, finally gone” in the chorus definitely hit harder now that they’re true.

Ron Rocky: The song explores feelings of being trapped in an unhealthy relationship. How did your personal experiences shape the narrative, and what message do you want listeners to take from it?

Elisa May: The personal experiences are heavily reflected in the narrative of “Black Lines.” I want listeners to take away a sense of anger, a fierce and strong “fuck you” to the people who take advantage of others. I want to feel relatable to those who feel the same and don’t know how to express themselves—or are afraid to—and with that, I hope I can be helpful.

Ron Rocky: You’ve described your teenage years as filled with angst and frustration. How did those emotions influence your songwriting for “Black Lines?”

Elisa May: These emotions were a major influence on my songwriting. In “Black Lines,” it was a way to channel those feelings, as they’ve been a part of me for a long time, and I just didn’t know how to express them. It felt very honest, and it gave me an outlet to release what I had been holding onto for years.

Ron Rocky: One of the lyrics, “You hide your white lies in between the black lines,” is particularly striking. Can you explain the significance of that imagery?

Elisa May: It represents the idiom “written in black and white,” which in English signifies something clear, obvious and easy to see—like black text on white paper. Unlike a white lie, which you conceal within those obvious, easy-to-see black lines of text, the lyric specifically plays with the imagery of black text on white paper and contrasts it with white lies hidden among the black lines. In life, this suggests how easy it is to manipulate someone by hiding white lies among the truths. Eventually, those lies multiply, and before long, people slowly find out you’ve been lying all along, making it easier to “read between the lines.”

Ron Rocky: Sonically, “Black Lines” has a haunting yet healing atmosphere. How did you create that balance between vulnerability and empowerment in the production?

Elisa May: I think the balance is created through the song’s layers. There is both haunting vulnerability and empowerment in the lyrics and content. The vulnerability stems from the difficult emotions I share in the lyrics, while the sense of empowerment comes from finally moving on, finding resolution and eventually healing.

Ron Rocky: Your music blends jazz, pop and soul. How do these genres help you convey the emotions in your music, especially in “Black Lines?”

Elisa May: Each genre gives the music something else. Jazz, I would say, is most important sonically, as it gives the artist the power to experiment and improvise. Pop gives the song its structure and melody and connects with listeners on a broader level, as it’s the most accessible to all listeners. The soulful elements help show vulnerability, mainly focusing on the vocal, which carries a lot of emotional weight. I hope it helps reach the listener’s heart, giving them the relatability and emotional recognition they want from the song.

Ron Rocky: “Black Lines” addresses toxic relationships, whether romantic, platonic or familial. How has music helped you process these emotions over the years?

Elisa May: Music has always been an outlet for me to process all kinds of emotions. Whether they’ve been romantic, platonic or familial, I’ve found that songwriting allows me to explore those feelings I usually can’t express in conversations. Yes, sometimes my emotions get overwhelming, and I’ve had professional help in the past, but this is something I can do for myself. It’s a great way to deal with pain and frustration in a safe way. Songwriting has actually helped me communicate my emotions because, in order to write about them, I have to think about them. As a result, they often start making more sense and become easier to communicate.

Ron Rocky: What was it like working with Gregory Darling on this track, and how did he influence the final version of “Black Lines?”

Elisa May: With Gregory’s approach, I never felt unsafe expressing my emotions. We didn’t really have to discuss what the song was about, just how to make it stronger. We worked to reflect the lyrics in the soundscape so the two would intertwine and support each other. His influence shaped the final version, as he understood exactly how I wanted it to sound and experimented with different instruments to achieve the result. A significant part of this involved adding subtle nuances and layered melodies to create the ambient, haunting sound.

Ron Rocky: You’re based in Prague, a city known for its rich cultural scene. How has the city influenced your sound and journey as an artist?

Elisa May: I would say that the city’s openness encourages experimenting with blending genres, absorbing the vibes, inhaling the streets of Prague and turning them into lyrics. The day-to-day environment helps me create specific scenes in my head that often become lyrics. For example, “late at night, sitting on a train” isn’t just a vague lyric but a vivid image of my main form of transport, which used to be a “city elephant” (a train type in Prague) for a long time. I’m not sure “Black Lines” really delves into the surroundings, but some of my future songs will definitely explore the beautiful atmosphere of Prague. I would emphasize that everyone around me is very creative too, which inspires me. I’m fortunate to be surrounded by so many interesting, artistic people who love using their brains to come up with unique ideas.

This interview has been edited for clarity and conciseness.